It’s a wonderful town! There are always new things to see and do no matter how often one visits. Stan and I discovered some of them on a recent trip. The sunny and mild weather meant we spent a lot of time outdoors, walking, walking, walking. We made good use of the Metro card, taking the train when necessary. It’s the fastest way to get around. Put the Subway map app on your phone and off you go.
We popped into the Guggenheim Museum right away to catch the James Turrell show before it closed. His lights bathed the rotunda in varying degrees of color making the museum walls his canvas.
I found the people in a circle on the floor more interesting to contemplate than the light installation. It was like a mini version of the 1978 mass murder of Jim Johnson’s cult followers by cyanide laced Flavor Aid. Weird.
James Turrell Light Bath
James Turrell Light Bath
A bright, sunny day brings out the performers. This, in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Hipsters at the Met
We were in New York to celebrate my birthday. Grand Central Station was also celebrating – its 100th. I should look so good at 100!
Grand Central at 100!
We walked the one mile stretch of the High Line, the public park built on a section of the elevated former NY Central RR on the west side of Manhattan (2009-2011). Looking down you get some unique views of Chelsea and beyond.
Gilbert and George, Waking, 1984
From the High Line
Art on the High Line.
El Anatsui, Broken Bridge II, 2012
Art off the High Line. No privacy for these folks!
Charlie Hewitt
We dropped down into Chelsea for art gazing and found some sheep grazing. This is not something you would expect to see in the middle of Chelsea. The late Francois-Xavier Lalanne’s “Moutons” were installed on the site of an old Getty gas station by art dealer Paul Kasmin and real estate developer Michael Shvo. What a great way to warehouse a piece of land waiting for a luxury high rise. 25 moutons. Better than a parking lot!
Francois-Xavier Lalanne, Moutons
We walked on several other elevated structures during the week. In all the years we lived in New York, growing up and going to school, neither of us had ever walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. Hard to imagine, but true. To get to Brooklyn from the Manhattan side you take a train down to Chambers Street and walk a few blocks to the bridge, passing several Court Houses with beautiful Corinthian columns built in the 1800’s.
Courthouse, NYC
And then, you’re on the bridge’s pedestrian way with a zillion other people who had the same idea on a gorgeous Fall day.
Brooklyn Bridge
Great views looking back toward Manhattan.
Manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge
Manhattan Bridge, NYC
Coming off the bridge we hit the DUMBO (Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass) Arts Festival. Lots of art on land and sea.
DUMBO Arts Festival
DUMBO Arts FestivalDUMBO Arts Festival
Fun stuff, too.
Who, Me?
At Rest
We got it into our heads that it would be fun to walk across the Williamsburg Bridge, another crossing between Manhattan and Brooklyn. Several trains later we found ourselves on the Brooklyn side and walked back to Manhattan. These bridges are not only for pedestrians. There are separate roadways for vehicles and trains.
Williamsburg Bridge, Brooklyn side
Williamsburg Bridge, Brooklyn to Manhattan
Models, too!
Here's Looking At You
Too much graffiti on the walkway, but good pickings for my “Underfoot” photo series.
Underfoot - Williamsburg Bridge
We clocked about seven miles of urban hiking that day but how many people can say they walked across two bridges in the same day? Maybe we should call Ripley’s.
